U.S. patent number 8,550,471 [Application Number 12/844,868] was granted by the patent office on 2013-10-08 for tool bit holder.
This patent grant is currently assigned to New Way Tools Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Ping-Wen Huang. Invention is credited to Ping-Wen Huang.
United States Patent |
8,550,471 |
Huang |
October 8, 2013 |
Tool bit holder
Abstract
A tool bit holder includes a sleeve, a hub, and a locking
mechanism. The sleeve is moveably mounted on an outer periphery of
the hub and includes a first notch, a second notch, and an abutting
section. The abutting section is disposed between the first and
second notches. The locking mechanism is disposed in a cavity
defined in the outer periphery of the hub and is retained therein
by the sleeve. Also, the locking mechanism includes a control
member, a resilient member, and a detent. The control member is
moveably disposed in the cavity and is biased by the resilient
member. The detent is carried by the control member.
Inventors: |
Huang; Ping-Wen (Taichung,
TW) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huang; Ping-Wen |
Taichung |
N/A |
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
New Way Tools Co., Ltd.
(Taichung, TW)
|
Family
ID: |
45525951 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/844,868 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20120025474 A1 |
Feb 2, 2012 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
279/30; 279/905;
279/75; 279/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23B
31/1071 (20130101); B25B 23/12 (20130101); B23B
31/06 (20130101); B25B 15/001 (20130101); B25B
23/0035 (20130101); Y10T 279/17196 (20150115); Y10T
279/17145 (20150115); B23B 2231/0232 (20130101); Y10T
279/17752 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B23B
31/107 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;279/22,30,74,75,904,905,155 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gates; Eric A
Assistant Examiner: Janeski; Paul M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kamrath; Alan Kamrath IP Lawfirm,
P.A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tool bit holder for receiving a tool bit, with the tool bit
including an engaging recess, comprising: a sleeve including a hole
extending therethrough, with the hole delimited by an inner
periphery thereof, the sleeve further including a first notch, a
second notch, and an abutting section extending on the inner
periphery, with the abutting section disposed between the first and
second notches; a hub receiving the sleeve, with the sleeve
moveably mounted on an outer periphery of the hub, the hub further
including a bore extending therein, a cavity defined in the outer
periphery thereof, a passage extending from the bore to the cavity
to enable the bore and the cavity to communicate with each other,
and a guiding edge defined on the cavity; and a locking mechanism
disposed and retained in the cavity by the sleeve, the locking
mechanism including a control member, a first resilient member, and
a detent, with the control member moveably disposed in the cavity
and biased by the resilient member, with the detent carried by the
control member, with the abutting section movable relative to the
hub and the control member and abutting against the detent and
causing the detent to partially expose in the bore; and wherein
when in use of the tool bit holder to engage with the tool bit, the
detent is urged by the tool bit and the control member is caused to
move and carry the detent in a first direction, and the detent is
disengaged from the abutting section and urged into the first notch
of the sleeve thereafter, and the control member is biased in a
second direction and urges the detent to engage in the engaging
recess of the tool bit thereafter for securing the tool bit; and
wherein, in order to release the tool bit, the sleeve is moved with
respect to the hub, and the detent is disengaged from the abutting
section and urged into the second notch of the sleeve
thereafter.
2. The tool bit holder as claimed in claims 1 further comprising a
pusher disposed in the bore and engaged with the second end of the
first resilient member, wherein the pusher includes a magnet
mounted thereon and disposed opposite to the first resilient member
for attracting the tool bit.
3. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
second resilient member engaged and retained in the bore of the
hub, the second resilient member includes two opposing ends
including a first end and a second end, with the first end being
fixed and the second end being free of any structural restrains,
with the second end adapted to contact the tool bit.
4. The tool bit holder as claimed in claims 3 further comprising a
pusher disposed in the bore and engaged with the second end of the
first resilient member, wherein the pusher includes a magnet
mounted thereon and disposed opposite to the first resilient member
for attracting the tool bit.
5. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control
member is flush with the outer periphery of the hub.
6. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a
second resilient member engaged and retained in the bore of the
hub, the second resilient member includes two opposing ends
including a first end and a second end, with the first end being
fixed and the second end being free of any structural restrains,
with the second end adapted to contact the tool bit.
7. The tool bit holder as claimed in claims 5 further comprising a
pusher disposed in the bore and engaged with the second end of the
first resilient member, wherein the pusher includes a magnet
mounted thereon and disposed opposite to the first resilient member
for attracting the tool bit.
8. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control
member includes an upper side, a lower side opposite to the upper
side and a lateral side extending between the upper and lower
sides, the control member further includes a guiding channel
defined in the lower side, a recess defined in the lateral side,
and an aperture extending therethrough from the upper side to the
lower side, with the recess receiving one of two ends of the first
resilient member, and with the aperture receiving the detent.
9. The tool bit holder as claimed in claims 8 further comprising a
pusher disposed in the bore and engaged with the second end of the
first resilient member, wherein the pusher includes a magnet
mounted thereon and disposed opposite to the first resilient member
for attracting the tool bit.
10. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a
second resilient member engaged and retained in the bore of the
hub, the second resilient member includes two opposing ends
including a first end and a second end, with the first end being
fixed and the second end being free of any structural restrains,
with the second end adapted to contact the tool bit.
11. The tool bit holder as claimed in claims 10 further comprising
a pusher disposed in the bore and engaged with the second end of
the first resilient member, wherein the pusher includes a magnet
mounted thereon and disposed opposite to the first resilient member
for attracting the tool bit.
12. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control
member is flush with the outer periphery of the hub.
13. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a
second resilient member engaged and retained in the bore of the
hub, the second resilient member includes two opposing ends
including a first end and a second end, with the first end being
fixed and the second end being free of any structural restrains,
with the second end adapted to contact the tool bit.
14. The tool bit holder as claimed in claims 12 further comprising
a pusher disposed in the bore and engaged with the second end of
the first resilient member, wherein the pusher includes a magnet
mounted thereon and disposed opposite to the first resilient member
for attracting the tool bit.
15. A tool bit holder for receiving a tool bit, with the tool bit
including an engaging recess, comprising: a sleeve including a hole
extending therethrough, with the hole delimited by an inner
periphery thereof, the sleeve further including a first notch, a
second notch, and an abutting section extending on the inner
periphery, with the abutting section disposed between the first and
second notches; a hub receiving the sleeve, with the sleeve
moveably mounted on an outer periphery of the hub, the hub further
including a bore extending therein, a cavity defined in the outer
periphery thereof, a passage extending from the bore to the cavity
to enable the bore and the cavity to communicate with each other,
and a guiding edge defined on the cavity; and a locking mechanism
disposed and retained in the cavity by the sleeve, the locking
mechanism including a control member, a first resilient member, and
a detent, with the control member moveably disposed in the cavity
and biased by the resilient member, with the detent carried by the
control member, with the abutting section abutting against the
detent and causing detent to at expose in the bore; wherein when in
use of the tool bit holder to engage with the tool bit, the detent
is urged by the tool bit and the control member is caused to move
and carry the detent in a first direction, and the detent is
disengaged from the abutting section and urged into the first notch
of the sleeve thereafter, and the control member is biased in a
second direction and urges the detent to engage in the engaging
recess of the tool bit thereafter for securing the tool bit;
wherein, in order to release the tool bit, the sleeve is moved with
respect to the hub, and the detent is disengaged from the abutting
section and urged into the second notch of the sleeve thereafter;
wherein the control member includes an upper side, a lower side
opposite to the upper side and a lateral side extending between the
upper and lower sides, the control member further includes a
guiding channel defined in the lower side, a recess defined in the
lateral side, and an aperture extending therethrough from the upper
side to the lower side, with the recess receiving one of two ends
of the first resilient member, and with the aperture receiving the
detent; and wherein the guiding edge and guiding channel are
V-shaped and include two sloped surfaces angled with each other and
an apex defined at a connection of the two sloped surfaces, with
the apex of the guiding edge abutted against the apex of the
guiding channel, and with the two sloped surfaces of the guiding
edge abutted against the two sloped surfaces of the guiding
channel, respectively.
16. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a
second resilient member engaged and retained in the bore of the
hub, the second resilient member includes two opposing ends
including a first end and a second end, with the first end being
fixed and the second end being free of any structural restrains,
with the second end adapted to contact the tool bit.
17. The tool bit holder as claimed in claims 15 further comprising
a pusher disposed in the bore and engaged with the second end of
the first resilient member, wherein the pusher includes a magnet
mounted thereon and disposed opposite to the first resilient member
for attracting the tool bit.
18. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control
member is flush with the outer periphery of the hub.
19. The tool bit holder as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a
second resilient member engaged and retained in the bore of the
hub, the second resilient member includes two opposing ends
including a first end and a second end, with the first end being
fixed and the second end being free of any structural restrains,
with the second end adapted to contact the tool bit.
20. The tool bit holder as claimed in claims 18 further comprising
a pusher disposed in the bore and engaged with the second end of
the first resilient member, wherein the pusher includes a magnet
mounted thereon and disposed opposite to the first resilient member
for attracting the tool bit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool bit holder and, in
particular, to a tool bit holder that can secure and release a tool
bit quickly. Additionally, the user can operate the tool bit holder
in one hand to secure and release the tool bit.
2. Description of the Related Art
In many situations, the user has to frequently change tool bits
while working on a particular project. Often, the user is in a
position where exchanging one tool bit for another is awkward, and
it is usually required to use both hands to perform an exchange.
Because of the awkwardness inherent in exchanging tool bits in such
tool bit holders, the user's work is slowed.
Several tool bit holders have been designed to reduce the
awkwardness inherent in exchanging tools in a tool bit holder. U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,457,916 and 6,561,523 are examples. However, it is
still desirable to provide a tool bit holder that has a simpler
structure and includes components that can be assembled easily for
the purpose of saving time and cost.
The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at
least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a tool bit holder including a
sleeve includes a hole extending therethrough, with the hole
delimited by an inner periphery thereof. The sleeve further
includes a first notch, a second notch, and an abutting section
extending on the inner periphery, with the abutting section
disposed between the first and second notches. A hub receives the
sleeve, with the sleeve moveably mounted on an outer periphery
thereof. The hub further includes a bore extending therein, a
cavity defined in the outer periphery thereof, a passage extending
from the bore to the cavity to enable them communicate with each
other, and a guiding edge defined on the cavity. A locking
mechanism is disposed and retained in the cavity by the sleeve. The
locking mechanism includes a control member, a resilient member,
and a detent. The control member is moveably disposed in the cavity
and is biased by the resilient member. The detent is carried by the
control member. The abutting section abuts against the detent and
causes it to partially expose in the bore.
When in use of the tool bit holder to engage with the tool bit, the
detent is urged by the tool bit, and the control member is caused
to move and carry the detent in a first direction. The detent is
disengaged from the abutting section and is urged into the first
notch of the sleeve thereafter. The control member is biased in a
second direction and urges the detent to engage in an engaging
recess of the tool bit thereafter for securing the tool bit.
However, in order to release the tool bit, the sleeve is moved with
respect to the hub, and the detent is disengaged from the abutting
section and urged into the second notch of the sleeve
thereafter.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool bit
holder having a simple structure and components which can be
assembled easily for the purpose of saving time and cost.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool bit
holder that can secure and release a tool bit quickly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool
bit holder that the user can operate in one hand to secure and
release a tool bit.
Other objects, advantages, and new features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the accompanied drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool bit holder in accordance
with a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tool bit holder shown
in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view of the tool bit holder
shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.
1.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
4.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.
4.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the tool bit holder shown in
FIG. 1 and a tool bit, with the tool bit holder adapted to
releasably receive the tool bit.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the tool bit shown in
FIG. 7 being inserted into the tool bit holder shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a continued cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 and shows the
tool bit being further inserted into the tool bit holder.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG.
9.
FIG. 11 is a continued cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 and shows a
detent of the tool bit holder being urged into a circumferential
groove of the tool bit.
FIG. 12 is a continued cross-sectional view of FIG. 11 and shows
the tool bit secured in the tool bit holder.
FIG. 13 is an extended cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 and shows
the operation of releasing the tool bit from the tool bit
holder.
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a tool bit holder in
accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is another exploded perspective view of the tool bit holder
shown in FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the tool bit holder shown in
FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 through 13 show a tool bit holder that can secure and
release a tool bit 1 quickly in accordance with a first embodiment
of the present invention. The tool bit holder includes a sleeve 10,
a hub 20, and a locking mechanism 30. The sleeve 10 is movably
mounted on an outer periphery of the hub 20. The locking mechanism
30 is retained on the outer periphery of the hub 20 by the sleeve
10.
The sleeve 10 includes a hole 11 extending therethrough such that
it defines a first open end and a second open end. The hole 11 is
delimited by an inner periphery of the sleeve 10 and includes two
ends including a first end 111 adjacent to the first open end of
the sleeve 10 and a second end 112 adjacent to the second open end
of the sleeve 10, respectively. Also, the hole 11 defines a
compartment 15 in the second end 112 thereof. The compartment 15
extends in the sleeve 10 from the second open end thereof to the
first open end thereof and terminates before the first open end
thereof such that it includes a terminal end 151 disposed between
the first and second open ends of the sleeve 10. The sleeve 10
further includes a first notch 12, a second notch 13, and an
abutting section 14 extending circumferentially on the inner
periphery of the sleeve 10. The first notch 12, the second notch 13
and the abutting section 14 are defined at the first end 111 of the
hole 11, with the abutting section 14 disposed between the first
and second notches 12 and 13. Also, the first notch 12, the second
notch 13, and the compartment 15 are spaced from one another
axially and do not communicate with one another. Moreover, the
sleeve 10 includes an anti-slip surface 19 defined on an outer
periphery thereof for allowing the user to gain a satisfactory
grasp during the operation thereof.
The hub 20 includes a first body 201 and a second body 202
extending from the first body 201. The first and second bodies 201
and 202 are connected to and axially aligned with each other. Also,
the first body 201 has a cross section different from that of the
second body 202, with the first body 201 being of a circular cross
section, and with the second body 202 being of a hexagonal cross
section. Additionally, the sleeve 10 is particularly mounted on the
first body 201 of the hub 20. The hub 20 further includes a bore 21
extending in the first body 201. The first body 201 includes two
opposing distal ends, i.e. a first distal end and a second distal
end, and the bore 21 extends from the first distal end axially
towards the second distal end and terminates before the second
distal end. Furthermore, the bore 21 defines a first section 211
adjacent to the second distal end of the first body 201 and a
second section 212 extending from the first section 211 to the
first distal end of the first body 201. The first section 211 is of
a polygonal cross section and, in particular, a hexagonal cross
section. Additionally, the second body 202 is connected to the
second distal end of the first body 201. Further, a cavity 22 is
defined in the outer periphery of the hub 20 and, in particular, in
the first body 201 thereof. The cavity 22 includes two opposing
stopping edges 221 and extends longitudinally between the two
stopping edges 221. Also, the cavity 22 extends laterally and
includes two opposing lateral edges defined on the circumference of
the outer periphery of the hub 20. Further, a passage 23 extends
radially from the bore 21 to the cavity 22 to enable them to
communicate with each other. Further, a wall that forms a boundary
between the bore 21 and the cavity 22 includes a guiding edge 24
defined thereon. The guiding edge 24 is V-shaped and includes two
sloped surfaces angled with each other and an apex defined at a
connection of the two sloped surfaces. Additionally, the passage 23
is extended through the middle of the guiding edge 24. Moreover,
the hub 20 includes a groove 25 defined on the outer periphery
thereof, and, in particular, the groove 25 is defined in the first
body 201 thereof.
As shown in FIG. 4, the sleeve 10 is biasably moved by a resilient
member 18. The resilient member 18 is disposed on the hub 20 and,
in particular, on the first body 201 thereof and circumferentially
surrounds the outer periphery thereof. Also, the resilient member
18 is received and retained in the compartment 15 of the sleeve 10
and includes one of two ends abutted against the terminal end 151
thereof. A stop member 16 is received in the compartment 15,
disposed adjacent to the second open end of the sleeve 10 and
includes an outer peripheral edge engaged with the inner periphery
of the sleeve 10 and an inner peripheral edge engaged with the
outer periphery of the hub 20. Additionally, a gasket 17 and a clip
26 are received in the compartment 15 and are disposed further away
from the second open end of the sleeve 10 than the stop member 16
such that the gasket 17 and the clip 26 are adapted to be prevented
from disengagement from the compartment 15. Also, the clip 26 is
engaged in the groove 25. Additionally, the resilient member 18
includes the other of the two ends abutted against the gasket
17.
The locking mechanism 30 is disposed in the cavity 22 of the hub 20
and includes a control member 31, a resilient member 32, and a
detent 33. The control member 31 is moveably disposed in the cavity
22 and is biased by the resilient member 32. Additionally, the
detent 33 is carried by the control member 31.
The control member 31 includes an upper side 311, and a lower side
312 opposite to the upper side 311. Also, the control member 31
includes a first pair of opposite lateral sides and a second pair
of opposite lateral sides extending between the upper and lower
sides 311 and 312 thereof. The first pair of opposite lateral sides
faces the two stopping edges 221 of the cavity 22, respectively.
The second pair of opposite lateral sides is aligned with the two
lateral edges of the cavity 22, respectively. Moreover, the control
member 31 includes a guiding channel 313 defined in the lower side
312 thereof, a recess 314 defined in one of the first pair of
lateral sides thereof, and an aperture 315 extending therethrough
from the upper side 311 to the lower side 312 thereof. The guiding
channel 313 is V-shaped includes two sloped surfaces angled with
each other and an apex defined at a connection of the two sloped
surfaces. Additionally, the guiding edge 24 in the cavity 22 of the
hub 20 is engaged in the guiding channel 313, with the apex of the
guiding edge 24 abutted against the apex of the guiding channel
313, and with the two sloped surfaces of the guiding edge 24
abutted against the two sloped surfaces of the guiding channel 313,
respectively. Consequently, the control member 31 is adapted to
move in a predetermined path in the cavity 22 of the hub 20. Since
the apex of the guiding edge 24 abuts against the apex of the
guiding channel 313, the control member 31 is not liable to deviate
from the path. The recess 314 receives one of two ends of the
resilient member 32. Additionally, the resilient member 32 includes
the other of the two ends abutted against one of the two stopping
edges 221 of the cavity 22. The aperture 315 receives the detent
33. Additionally, the abutting section 14 of the sleeve 10 abuts
against the detent 33 and causes it to partially expose in the bore
21 of the hub 20 and, in particular, in the first section 211
thereof.
Furthermore, the control member 31 is flush with the outer
periphery of the hub 20. Consequently, the upper side 311 of the
control member 31 is not extended outside a perimeter of the cavity
22 of the hub 20. Since the cross section of the first body 201 of
the hub 20 is circular, the upper side 311 is of an arcuate shape
that flushes with the outer periphery of the hub 20.
The tool bit holder further includes a resilient member 40 engaged
and retained in the bore 21 of the hub 20. The resilient member 40
has two opposing ends including a first end and a second end, with
the first end being fixed and the second end being free of any
structural restrains. Also, the first end is disposed in the second
section 212 of the bore 21, and the second end is disposed in the
first section 211 of the bore 21, respectively.
In use of the tool bit holder to engage with the tool bit 1, the
first step is inserting the tool bit 1 into the bore 21 of the hub
20. As the tool bit 1 is being inserted, it would urge the detent
33 and cause the control member 31 to carry the detent 33 in a
first direction. Additionally, the resilient member 32 is depressed
by the control member 31, and the resilient member 40 is depressed
by the tool bit 1, respectively. Then, the detent 33 is disengaged
from the abutting section 14 and urged into the first notch 12 of
the sleeve 10. In this instance, the detent 33 is not exposed in
the bore 21. Next, the control member 31 is biased by the resilient
member in a second direction opposite to the first direction and
urges the detent 33 to partially expose in the bore 21 and to
engage in an engaging recess 101 defined in an outer periphery of
the tool bit 1. Additionally, the detent 33 is urged to abut
against the abutting section 14 of the sleeve 10 so that it is
prevented from disengagement from the engaging recess 101 of the
tool bit 1. Consequently, the tool bit 1 is secured in the bore 21
of the tool bit holder. In order to release the tool bit 1 from the
tool bit holder, the sleeve 10 is moved with respect to the hub 20.
Then, the detent 33 is disengaged from the abutting section 14 and
urged into the second notch 13 of the sleeve 10. In this instance,
the detent 33 is not exposed in the bore 21 and is disengaged from
the engaging recess 101 of the tool bit 1. Additionally, the hub 20
is able to be connected to a hand-operated tool or a power
tool.
FIGS. 14 and 16 show a tool bit holder in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment
differentiates from the first embodiment in that it includes a
pusher 50 disposed in the first section 211 of the bore 21 and
engaged with the second end of the resilient member 40.
Consequently, it is the pusher 50 that is able to contact with the
tool bit 1 rather than the second end of the resilient member 40.
The pusher 50 includes an engaging end 51 for engaging with the
resilient member 40. The engaging end 51 includes a column 511 and
a flange 512 connected to an end of the column 511. The flange 512
has a larger cross section than that of the column 511 for
preventing the pusher 50 from disengaging from the resilient member
40. Further, a magnet 52 is mounted on the pusher 50 and is
disposed opposite to the resilient member 40 for attracting the
tool bit 1. Consequently, the magnet 52 can magnetically attract
the tool bit 1 and enable it to be held thereto before being
disengaged therefrom.
In view of the forgoing, the tool bit holder has a simple structure
and components which can be assembled easily for the purpose of
saving time and cost. The detent 33 is adapted to be carried by the
control member 31 to engage in the either the first notch 12 or the
second notches 13 and to engage in the engaging recess 101 of the
tool bit 1 for securing the tool bit 1 in the tool bit holder.
Moreover, the tool bit holder can secure and release the tool bit 1
quickly.
While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,
numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing
from the spirit of invention, and the scope of invention is only
limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.
* * * * *